His modus operandi was simple: Approach minors at random and promise to pay them around P50 each for selling his “merchandise”—illegal drugs.
For almost a year, 34-year-old Saef Imam Disomnong’s business in Pasig City flourished until Wednesday when authorities finally caught up with him.
Chief Supt. Oscar Boyles, Pasig City police investigation chief, said that Disomnong, also known as Malik, was arrested at his house in Bolante II, Barangay Pinagbuhatan, after he decided to personally handle one transaction.
Unfortunately for him, his “customer” turned out to be an undercover policeman.
According to a police report, Disomnong yielded a plastic sachet which was believed to contain methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu.” Also recovered were the P300 in marked bills paid by the undercover policeman, a .38-cal. revolver and drug paraphernalia.
The police said they were readying charges for drugs and illegal possession of firearms against Disomnong who remained detained at the police headquarters.
According to Boyles, the suspect had been charged before for illegal drugs but the case was dismissed recently by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court.
He said that Disomnong often used 14- to 17-year-old couriers in his business and because they were minors, they would end up being released instead of being charged.
He added that aside from escaping liability, these children were also willing to work for the suspect for small sums of money.